And don’t even get me started on my kids, both athletic and so tight they haven’t been able to touch their toes since the day they were born. Every now and then a coach will suggest they practice yoga. You know, everyone says it works.

Why is it that we can share the joy of yoga with total strangers, but when it comes to the ones we love they are often the hardest to get onto the mat? I’ve had to come up with some interesting ways to get my family on the mat.

Here are some tips to get the ones you love into yoga:

Make an offer they can’t refuse.

For Valentine’s Day, I will take A) A trip to Paris, B) A horse, with a beautiful new house and barn, C) A new kitchen, D) A shared yoga class. You don’t have to be a genius to play this game.

Make an offer they can’t refuse, take 2.

“And if we take Shelley’s class, I will let you go in the front row. By the way, Shelley teaches in a bikini.”

If this is for your kids:

If that doesn’t work, then try:

“If you practice yoga, then I will give you two weeks’ of allowance and excuse you from all chores.” I actually did that once, but it backfired on me. The next time, my teenager demanded more money.

You could always try the truth:

“If you practice yoga, you will feel better, you will probably find happiness, and your life will be transformed.” But if they don’t believe you, or even the book you wrote, then play something by MC Yogi. That will get them every time.

4668455 Responseshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fhow-to-get-someone-you-love-to-try-yoga%2FHow+to+Get+Someone+You+Love+to+Try+Yoga.2013-02-11+12%3A00%3A13Michelle+Marchildonhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F%3Fp%3D466845 to “How to Get Someone You Love to Try Yoga.”

I'm really working my restorative yoga angle as a gateway yoga experience for some of my less-than-phsycially-active friends – "Come lay down and take a guided half-nap while I say nice things to you about how amazing you are. I'll even cover you up with a blanket and give you a shoulder rub." That's an offer that's hard to refuse!

It was like every paragraph I was thinking, "OMazing…I go through the same thing, especially part about the kids." I teach yoga to kids and you would think my kiddos would be the perfect yogis and my son is so stiff. He has to stretch. It is crazy how it works. Myhusband is stiff and refuses to do yoga, BUT he tells his son to do it. Funny. Thank you for sharing. I am defiantly going to try the chores/allowance idea with the kids. I am glad that I am not the only yogi with family thinks like this. ha ha